DOJ Reviewing Portland Thorns Match Confrontation Involving Women’s Sports Supporters
The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing a confrontation at a Portland Thorns match in which supporters of women’s sports were struck with flagpoles and escorted out of the stadium by security.
The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing a confrontation at a professional women’s soccer match in Portland, Oregon, after video showed supporters of women’s sports being struck with flagpoles and forcibly escorted out of the stadium by security. The footage captured members of the group being hit with flags carrying transgender-related messaging, confronted with profanity, and physically removed by staff.
A Justice Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the department is aware of the reports and will review the matter thoroughly. “Where the facts and the law warrant action, the Department will not hesitate to act,” the spokesperson said. A department official separately said that, based on what is known so far, the conduct “appears to raise viewpoint discrimination and First Amendment questions rather than sex discrimination.”
The incident unfolded Friday during Portland’s match against the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park. According to the reporting, about 20 spectators wore XX-XY Athletics shirts covered during the first half, then revealed them and unfurled a large “Save Women’s Sports” banner as the second half began. The organizers included activist Amy Sousa and commentator Brandi Kruse, who had previously helped organize rallies supporting WNBA player Sophie Cunningham.
Sousa told OutKick that she and other attendees filed police reports afterward. “We were attacked by fans. We were hit with flags,” she said. Kruse said security restrained her arm behind her back while escorting her through the stands, and she questioned why her group was removed after being attacked. OutKick reporter Matt Calkins said his phone was knocked from his hand and beer was poured on his neck while he was documenting the confrontation. A security guard also briefly pulled his credential from around his neck during an interview with Sousa before returning it seconds later.
The Portland Police Bureau said off-duty officers, who are routinely hired to work professional games, were on duty at the Thorns match. Sergeant Kevin Allen told Fox News Digital that officers were not involved in any removals. Police were called in when some individuals refused to leave and lay down, blocking an exit, and those individuals agreed to leave when asked by officers. Officers later separated two groups with opposing viewpoints outside the stadium for a short time to promote public safety. Allen said two potential crimes had been reported, one alleged harassment and one alleged vandalism. No injuries were reported to police or visible, and no immediate arrests or citations were issued. The incidents remain under investigation, and officers were wearing and had activated body-worn cameras under department policy.
Providence Park is owned by the City of Portland and operated by Peregrine Sports, LLC, according to the city. The Thorns are owned separately by RAJ Sports, and Portland’s Spectator Venues Program oversees the city’s interests in the stadium and its relationship with the operator. Security director Jim McCausland said he did not have time to speak with reporters.
Legal context matters here. Viewpoint discrimination generally involves the government restricting expression because of the particular opinion expressed, a practice the Supreme Court ordinarily prohibits, according to Congress’s Constitution Annotated. Federal law also permits criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 242 when someone acting under color of law willfully deprives another person of a federally protected right. The Justice Department could examine whether city officials helped set or enforce the removals because of the fans’ views. Public ownership of the stadium alone does not establish a violation; the government’s involvement in the removals would be the key question. The department has not identified that statute as the basis for its review and has not announced any charges.
OutKick said it has reached out to the Thorns, Peregrine Sports, and Portland city officials for comment on the Justice Department’s review and the constitutional concerns raised by the department official, but has not received a response.
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